How to select a specific unit using DLm and MTL

You can select a specific unit / tape drive using Disk Library for Mainframe.  Here's how:

First, here's the knowledgebase entry - http://csgateway.emc.com/primus.asp?id=emc235011

To do this, you need to use the SMSHONOR parameter of SMS available in z/OS 1.11 and later.

here's a 'copy' of the knowledgebase entry above:

SMSHONOR depends on the definition of a dataset that will have the same attributes as a tape device in the specific library on a specific VTE.

As an example, this would be the procedure necessary to use SMSHONOR:

VTE1: Configured for device numbers 1E00 - 1E1F

           Device numbers 1E00-1E0F are 3490s and belong to Library - ID  3490A, 1E10 - 1E1F are defined as 3590 and belong to Library-ID 3590A

           We want to be able to select a specific tape device from VTE1; either a 3490 or 3590 device:

1. Define a dataset name that is descriptive of VTE1: For example:  EMC.D3490.DLM4080.VTE1
   
2. Go into ISPF / ISMF and select OPTION 7 (ACS  APPLICATION SELECTION). Then select OPTION 1,EDIT, supplying the dataset containing the ACS routines.  Select and edit the DATACLAS ACS routine.                                                                       
   For example you can add a statement like " IF &DSN='EMC.D3490.DLM4080.VTE1' THEN SET  &DATACLAS='VT2MED2' " where "VT2MED2" represents MEDIA2 for 3490 tape volumes.    
   Now SAVE the member, then execute the ACS TRANSLATE function and VALIDATE the DATACLAS to verify all is fine.
   
3. Go into ISPF / ISMF and select OPTION 7 again and select OPTION 1,EDIT.  Supply the dataset containing the ACS routines.  Edit the STORCLAS ACS routine.                                                      
   You can add a statement like " IF &DSN='EMC.D3490.DLM4080.VTE1' THEN SET &STORCLAS='MTLVOLS' " where "MTLVOLS" is the STORCLAS for all MTL volumes in this case.
   Now SAVE the member, then execute the ACS TRANSLATE function and VALIDATE the STORCLAS to verify all is fine
   
4. Go into ISPF / ISMF and select OPTION 7 and then select OPTION 1, EDIT.  Supply the dataset containing the ACS routines.  Edit the STORGRP ACS routine.
   Add a statement like " IF &DSN='EMC.D3490.DLM4080.VTE1' THEN SET  &STORGRP='VT2SGA' " where storage group name "VT2SGA" points to the LIBRARY NAME  LIBMED2A and LIBMED2A is defined as a 3490 library with the LIBRARY-ID of 3490A.
   Now SAVE the member, then execute the ACS TRANSLATE function and VALIDATE the STORGRP to verify all is fine.
   
5. Go into ISMF OPTION 8 (CDS APPLICATION SELECTION) and ACTIVATE the changes we made previously.  This will make these changes available to the system.
   
6. Now the SMSHONOR keyword can be specified in the JCL. Note that the DATASET NAME defined in the ACS routine must be specified: "  //DLMCTRL  DD  DSN=EMC.D3490.DLM4080.VTE1,UNIT=(/1E0E,,,SMSHONOR),VOL=SER= "  and be assured that the device number selected will be used.
   

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Noted from the knowedgebase article's author:

The important piece to understand here is that a DATASETNAME be defined in the ACS routines such that in DATACLAS it points to a MEDIA TYPE; the DATASET NAME in STORCLAS points to the appropriate entry for MTLs and finally the DATASETNAME in STORGRP will point to the appropriate storage group name which points to the LIBRARY-ID you want. Once this is activated, in the JCL the user MUST specify the dataset name and can then specify a device number in the UNIT= parameter.  Finally, the device you request must actually be available if you request it, just like a tape drive.

Dave Yates

EMC TSE3

Benevolent Host Systems Moderator

"Il Moderatore Benevolo"